May 14, 2008

ARLINGTON, Texas - - UT Arlington's baseball team takes on its second Texas A&M System university this week when the Islanders of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi come to Arlington for a three-game series beginning on Thursday.

First pitch in Game 1 is set for 6:30 p.m.

The teams play another night game at 6:30 p.m. on Friday before closing out the 2008 regular season at 1 p.m. on Saturday. All games will be played at Clay Gould Ballpark.

UTA (23-29, 13-14) fared pretty well against A&M schools so far this week, knocking off the No. 7 Texas A&M Aggies, 16-8, on Tuesday at home. Mavericks freshman outfielder Michael Choice had four hits, including a homer and a double, and four other Mavericks collected two hits each against eight different Texas A&M pitchers.

UTA has defeated three nationally-ranked Big 12 teams in a row, but Mavericks first-year head coach Darin Thomas is quick to point out that those wins won't prolong the Mavericks season. UTA is battling Southeastern Louisiana and Stephen F. Austin for the final two playoff spots in the 2008 Southland Conference Baseball Tournament.

If UTA wins one game, the Lumberjacks would have to sweep to keep the Mavericks out of the postseason. Heading into the series, what does Thomas tell his crew? Nothing.

"I don't have to say anthing to these guys right now because they know the situation and they know exactly what they need to do if they want to keep their season going," Thomas said.

UTA will face the Islanders (22-28, 14-12) ace in the first game, senior right-hander Omar Gutierrez. His 3.27 earned run average is a team high, and he has one of the best pitching performances in the conference to his credit by striking out 14 UTSA batters earlier this season.

The Mavericks counter with lefty Ryan Robinson, who has been one of UTA's most effective pitchers during that last half of conference play. Robinson will hope for help from UTA's offense, which has shown signs of coming to life.